North Carolina Tar Heels

Head Coach

Butch Davis	2nd year
07-08	4-8
ACC	3-5
FCR	91

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - In his first season on Chapel Hill Butch Davis led the Tar Heels to a 4-8 record and he’s got them looking for much more this season. They return seventeen starters including all the skill players on offense and most of the nation’s 35th ranked defense. The talent level at UNC is rising and with a reduction in the number of turnovers anything less then a bowl invite appears within their grasp.

Quarterback - The incumbent at quarterback is sophomore T.J. Yates, he set school freshman records last season with 2,655 yards passing and 14 TD’s but threw 18 interceptions. He has got the tools but struggled late in the year, he had off season shoulder surgery and missed spring ball but the job is his to lose. The battle to backup Yates is between redshirt freshman Mike Paulus and junior Cam Sexton, Sexton performed well this spring and Paulas is the future, he’s 6-5 with a big arm and moves quite well in and out of the pocket.

Running Backs - At tailback is converted wide receiver Greg Little, the sophomore made the switch late last year and closed the year with 247 yards in the season final two games. He has much to learn but it was evident this spring that he’ll be the starter when the games begin, he’s got size and will clearly be a big contributor in the passing attack out of the backfield. At fullback will be junior Bobby Rome, he’s primary a blocking back but can catch the ball out of the backfield, sophomore Anthony Elzy will be in the mix at both spots.

Receivers - The is an excellent group of wide receivers and they’re led by junior Hakeem Nicks, he was second team All-ACC after catching 74 passes for 958 yards and five scores, he possess good size and speed and is excellent after the catch. In the three-wide attack he’ll be joined by seniors Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster, the pair combined for 54 receptions for 897 yards and 7 TD’s, both have excellent speed and Foster outstanding leaping ability. They have two more options in the passing game in senior tight end Richard Quinn and sophomore Zack Pianalto who plays the H-Back, Quinn is basically another O-Lineman and Pianalto is a big body who had 24 catches a year ago for xx yards and will figure in the passing attack.

Offensive Line - Upfront questions need to be answered despite the fact four starters return, the right side is set with seniors Garrett Reynolds at tackle and at guard Calvin Darity. Also back are at junior Kyle Jolly and at center junior Aaron Stahl, the new man upfront will be senior Byron Bishop at left guard. Competing for time when the season begins will be sophomore Alan Pelc right and junior Lowell Dyer, if they can better protect Yates, they allowed 37 sacks, the Tar Heels should improve.

Defensive Line - Carolina must replace two starters upfront but they have a good group of young players who’ll compete for time. Junior E.J Wilson had 44 tackles and five sacks and returns at one end and on the other side there’s three sophomores, Greg Elleby, Darrius Massenburg and Darius Powell, who’ll be in the mix. Inside junior Aleric Mullins returns at one tackle and he’ll be joined by sophomore Marvin Austin, Mullins ended the year as a starter and is solid against the run while Austin is a rising star who had four sacks in a reserve role a year ago. In junior Cam Thomas and redshirt freshman Tydreke Powell the Heels have a pair of solid interior reserves, this is developing into a group that will stop the run and apply pressure upfield.

Linebackers - At linebacker UNC will have a solid if unspectacular group led by senior Mark Paschal in the middle, on the strongside is senior Chase Rice and sophomore Quan Sturdivant will man the weakside. Sturdivant and Paschal, they both ended the season as starters and combined for 100 tackles, Rice missed almost the entire year due to injury but regained his starting position this spring. Also returning is sophomore Bruce Carter who’ll see plenty of action, look for Sturdivant to blossom into the leader of the unit by seasons end.

Defensive Backs - Look for the secondary to be the strength of the defense and with three sophomore returning starters they’ll continue to improve. On the outside will sophomores Charles Brown and Kendric Burney, they combined for 109 tackles and three picks as freshman starters. Returning at strong safety is senior Trimane Goddard and sophomore Deunta Williams will return at free safety, they’re both All-ACC caliber players and excel in run support. JUCO Melvin Williams showed this spring that he’ll clearly be in the rotation this fall.

Special Teams - The placekicking duties are be handed to redshirt freshman Jay Wooten and returning as the Tar Hell punter is senior Terrence Brown, who averaged 41.4 yards last season is an asset in gaining filed position. Senior Brandon Tate is the main man for the return team and is outstanding, look for junior Hakeem Nicks to get a few chances as well.

Schedule - They get seven home dates but will be tested early and if they’re the team they believe they are, we’ll know quickly. They play at Rutgers in Week 2 and also face UConn and Notre Dame early but the Week three match-up against Va Tech could be pivotal in determining the Coastal division representative in the ACC title game. There young and will be aggressive, look for a slip-up along the way but the Heels will be bowl bound this season and they'll win 9+ games.